Bottom-Release Food Container for Spill-Free Hot Food Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional food containers, such as colanders and bowls, pose risks of steam burns and spills when transferring cooked or strained contents to another container, as they require rotation, which can lead to accidents.
Innovation Solution
A food container design featuring a curved bottom with a slideable door within a track system that allows contents to be pulled out under gravity without rotating the container, incorporating biasing elements and handles for easy operation and spill prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional food containers are used to transfer contents, then the container can hold and cook food, but the user risks steam burns and spills when transferring contents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional discharge method by opening the discharge opening at the bottom of the container rather than at the top. The door assembly is positioned at the bottom and opens upward, allowing contents to be discharged by simply tilting the container forward without requiring the user to reach over hot steam or manually pour contents, thereby eliminating steam burn risks and spill hazards
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a door assembly as an intermediary mechanism between the container interior and the exterior environment. This door assembly includes a door, track, and biasing element that work together to control the discharge opening, providing a safe and controlled interface for transferring contents without direct user exposure to hot food or steam
2Productivity
If the container requires rotation to transfer contents, then contents can be emptied, but the operation becomes complex and prone to spills
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for container rotation by inverting the discharge opening location to the bottom and having it open upward. Users simply tilt the container forward to discharge contents, transforming a complex rotational operation into a simple tilting motion that is faster, easier to perform, and less prone to spills
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing element is pre-loaded to automatically push the door open when the container is tilted, eliminating the need for users to manually manipulate the door or rotate the container. The preliminary positioning of the door in the track and the pre-loaded spring mechanism prepare the system for automatic, spill-free discharge with minimal user action
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe and spill-free transfer of contents by utilizing gravity to release food through an openable bottom, reducing the risk of burns and spills, and allowing for efficient straining of mixtures without rotating the container.
Implementation Method 1
the door is biased to completely occlude the opening
Implementation Method 2
contents contained in the food container are pulled through the opening under the influence of gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A food container, comprising: a curved bottom; an opening in the bottom; a track connected to the bottom and adjacent the opening; a door slideable within the track, configured to encompass and occlude the opening in the bottom. When the door is opened, contents contained in the food container are pulled through the opening under the influence of gravity, and out of the food container without the need to rotate the container.